Agreed. To other readers, I'm sorry if there is any confusion between what I wrote and how kurtz replied. I originally wrote a longer post which discussed Thailand, Cambodia and a few others things. However, after hitting 'Submit' I decided that I was getting a bit too far off topic so I edited it.

In regards to dating, relationships with the opposite sex etc I think it's an interesting discussion so I'll start a new thread on it and see how it goes .

Agreed. To other readers, I'm sorry if there is any confusion between what I wrote and how kurtz replied. I originally wrote a longer post which discussed Thailand, Cambodia and a few others things. However, after hitting 'Submit' I decided that I was getting a bit too far off topic so I edited it.

In regards to dating, relationships with the opposite sex etc I think it's an interesting discussion so I'll start a new thread on it and see how it goes .

As others have already mentioned, even those who "love" the place find it annoying and challenging on a daily basis.

Truer words...

And even truer in the north! I hated it when I first arrived, but gradually things improved to where now I love it, but it remains quite a stressful place. How? Well, just ask me about any major aspect of life, such as food, water, air, money, transportation, weather, communication, etc., and I'll tell you. If I hadn't made such great friends there, I'd be out of there.

I expect various flotsam and debauched characters to be peddling TEFL for quite some time; this would not be the case so much if a 4-year degree and a CELTA would be the requirements; a pee test for cannabis and an HIV test might make things harder for some as well. Will the Vietnamese Govt. ever insist on such requirements?

Come on, let Vietnam retain its character, please. Professionals like you and I will always commend a premium so what are you worried about? (Oh wait, the grammar Nazis are here. I mean, about what are you worried?)

Unless they find true love and one of those 18 to 20 bucks an hour jobs like Prof. Gringo is working on.

Thanks for posting prof. gringo's salary on a public forum. Now that we know what he is paid per hour, can you please tell us how many hours he works per month and what he is paid per month.
Does he do get paid for all his prep time too? Does he have office hours?
Is he freelance or a contract teacher? Does he ever splurge on imported coffee?
Please include his visa status and relationship status too.
If you know his personal email and phone number post that too so we can all get a piece of Paradise. Paradise.

Unless they find true love and one of those 18 to 20 bucks an hour jobs like Prof. Gringo is working on.

Thanks for posting prof. gringo's salary on a public forum. Now that we know what he is paid per hour, can you please tell us how many hours he works per month and what he is paid per month.
Does he do get paid for all his prep time too? Does he have office hours?
Is he freelance or a contract teacher? Does he ever splurge on imported coffee?
Please include his visa status and relationship status too.
If you know his personal email and phone number post that too so we can all get a piece of Paradise. Paradise.

I'm back in the states. Southern Indiana. Vietnam is for party people and backpacker TEFLer's. I'm going to stay here in the good old U S of A until I decide if I'm going to South Korea or Japan. Hopefully by spring. I'm sure Japan or South Korea will be better.

I'll try and let you know if I'm not too busy. Heading to HCMC on Monday. Paradise here I come!!! Well, according to Prof. Gringo it's paradise.

I guess you're too busy in Paradise. Paradise.

Paradise is now Southern Indiana. HCMC works great for the non professional party types but for someone who is SERIOUS about TEFLing and has serious qualifications like I do, well let's just say HCMC is a joke.

I knew I should have went to Japan or South Korea like I had originally wanted to.